GERARD HOULLIER knew before a ball was kicked in his side's Worthington Cup semi-final tie with Sheffield United that Liverpool would reward their loyal fans with another cup final appearance.

GERARD HOULLIER knew before a ball was kicked in his side's Worthington Cup semi-final tie with Sheffield United that Liverpool would reward their loyal fans with another cup final appearance.

The Reds duly obliged last night, defeating Warnock's first division team 2-0 after extra time to book a place in the Worthington Cup final forsurthe second time in three years.

Houllier (pictured) revealed this morning he knew after last month's quarter-final victory over Aston Villa his side would reach the Millennium Stadium once again.

He explains: "When we travelled to Aston Villa and I saw 5,000 Liverpool fans waiting for 90 minutes in the cold to give us their backing and I told the players 'despite our run they are here because they believe in us'.

"When we won that night I knew we would reach the final. I knew we would reward those fans and last night's win was for them. It is a reward for them and a reward for the players.

"We have such a special relationship between the fans and the team and that has grown stronger during our difficult period."

Last night's victory came courtesy of goals from El-Hadji Diouf and Michael Owen, cancelling out the Blades' first leg 2-1 lead.

Houllier added: "The run to the final has not been easy because we have had to beat two Premiership teams and two first division teams. We have taken the competition seriously from the start."

The Reds will now face the winner of tonight's second leg semi-final at Ewood Park between Manchester United and Blackburn.

The dream final would be against United, but Houllier insists he does not care who his side faces.

"It will be a good game of football, whoever we meet. One team is Manchester and the other is coached by a former Liverpool manager.

"There will be interest but the game itself will be played on the pitch, not off it."

After the war of words which marred the semi-final battle with Sheffield United, the Liverpool boss is clearly eager to concentrate on foot-balling matters.

Meanwhile, Stephane Henchoz has denied he spat at Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock's after last night's semi-final victory.

The usually calm and composed Swiss international admits he had a heated exchange with the manager of the first division club as the players left the pitch, but he reacted furiously to the allegation from Warnock that he spat at him.

He said: "I did spit but it was on the ground and not at him. That's it. I definitely did not spit in his direction.

"I was happy that we had won the game and I told him that, but I insist that I did not spit at him."